The expedition, headed by Maugis, had proceeded but a short distance when they came upon Roland, face to face, at the head of a considerable number of troops. A halt was ordered and Maugis rode forward, lowered his lance, and said to Roland: “Brave knight, we have been shedding each other’s blood in a bitter quarrel, which it is now time to terminate, once for all. Thou art a relative of Charlemagne, and of mine; I pray thee use thy influence to pacify the emperor, and on my part I will do all in my power to second your efforts. We are willing to undertake, as a penance, war against the infidels, in the name of the Emperor of France, my brothers and I; I pray thee, then, in behalf of all, to accept my offer.” Roland, much affected by the frank and manly words of Maugis, replied: “Brave knight, for myself, I gladly tell thee I would only be too willing to accede to these requests, but alas! Charlemagne refuses to hear of peace under any conditions, except that thee and thy brothers are delivered into his hands.” “Then it is useless,” responded Maugis; “we will fight until death before we will ever lower ourselves to commit such a great act of cowardice.” Saying this, Maugis lowered his visor, set his lance at rest, and spurring his horse quickly forward, charged upon Roland. Roland in turn drew his famous sword and aimed a terrible blow at Maugis, which the latter received upon his shield, but such was its force the shield flew to pieces, and Roland stopping, said, smiling at his adversary: “Good, my cousin, I have taken my revenge on thee for thy rashness; thy shield is gone, we will now quit.” “No,” replied Maugis, “if thou hast destroyed my shield for vengeance, I will punish thee for thy pride.” This singular combat would have been continued, and with their followers included, all would have become engaged in a duel to extermination, if Renaud had not restrained his cousin. On his side Olivier, the friend of Roland, likewise detained the nephew of Charlemagne, who, however, had become enraged at the taunt of Maugis and would listen to nothing, but would throw himself with all his force upon him. Things were at this delicate point when in the distance a body of troops were seen approaching with a slow and measured tread. They surrounded a man habited in the garb of a monk; the doleful strains of the _Miserere_ came floating to them borne on the breeze. The nearer approach of this melancholy procession revealed the fact that the man in the garb of a monk was no other than King Yon; they were conducting him to execution. This sight caused Maugis to forget all his resentment against his brother-in-law. He drew his troops across the road, barring the progress of the guard, and thundered out the order to them: “Halt!” “Stand aside!” responded the commandant of the guard. “Again I command thee to halt,” cried Maugis; “yield thy prisoner!”